"West Mercia Police are unable to comment any further as the incident has been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) as is normal procedure, and will assist the IPCC with their inquiries."

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman added: "We were called by West Mercia Police to an address in Meadow Close in the Trench area of Telford at about 1.45am this morning.

"An ambulance was dispatched and upon arrival found a man who had been Tasered.

"As he was being conveyed to Princess Royal Hospital, his condition deteriorated and he went into cardiac arrest.

"Despite the efforts of the crew and hospital staff, it was not possible to save him and he was confirmed dead at hospital, shortly after arrival."

Atkinson played for a string of English clubs, including Ipswich, Sheffield Wednesday and Aston Villa, before finishing his career abroad.

He scored the winning goal in the 1994 League Cup final as Villa beat Manchester United, and most memorably scored the Match of the Day Goal of the Season in a 3-2 win for Villa against Wimbledon in 1992.